On Nov. 7 (or starting Oct. 10, if you take advantage of early and absentee voting) you’ll have the opportunity to vote to approve the bond for the K-8 Strategic Project and Unified Primary School.
The research, analysis, and need for this project is years, and in some cases, decades in the making. As a result, this K-8 strategic solution is something that prioritizes our students, our community, our future, and yes …. even our bottom line. It’s not often a superintendent is in a position to say that.
While those of us intimately involved in this project have been working through the details for years, we know that for many of you it’s brand new and you are racing (in your already overly busy lives) to understand enough of the details to make a decision that aligns with your values come Election Day.
That’s why we’ve put together weekly Q&As that take the top questions people have about the project. We want you to get the information you need and to be there to answer your questions. Most can be joined in-person or online and you can play the role of active participant or passive listener.
Here is the schedule between now and Election Day:
• Cost and Tax Impact: Break down the numbers in this informative session where district and town representatives walk you through the numbers, tax impact, and financial breakdown so you fully understand cost, tax impact, and how it will affect you.
Date: Tuesday, Oct 3, 6-7 p.m.
Location: Council Chambers A and Zoom (see Facebook event or District website for zoom link)
• Project Overview: Just in time for early voting, get a full overview of the project, background, and what it means for the community.
Date: Tuesday, Oct 10, 6-7 p.m.
Location: Eight Corners School (this event will include a school tour)
• Investment and Long-term Impact: How long will this solution last? What does it mean for the community in the long-term. Get your questions answered about how it will scale and serve our community for decades to come.
Date: Tuesday, Oct 17, 6-7 p.m.
Location: Council Chambers A and Zoom (see Facebook event or district website for zoom link)
• Location and Site Selection: Learn how the site for the new unified school was chosen and all the research and needs analysis that went into the decision.
Date: Tuesday, Oct 24, 6-7 p.m.
Location: Council Chambers A and Zoom (see Facebook event or District website for zoom link)
• Traffic and Bus Time: What will this do to traffic, bus times, and parent pick-up and drop-off? Dig into the details and this will impact your daily commute.
Date: Monday, Oct 30, 6-7 p.m.
Location: Blue Point School (this event includes a school tour)
• Existing Sites and Schools: Hear why, after detailed analysis, the possibility of updating the current K-2 schools and adding a fourth was determined not to be the most fiscally responsible or educationally effective solution. And learn what might happen to the current school sites once the new school is built.
Date: Wednesday, Nov 1st, 6-7 p.m.
Location: Pleasant Hill School (this event includes a school tour)
• Get Ready for Election Day Open Q&A: Here is your last chance to make sure you go to the polls informed. This open style Q&A is here to answer all of your last minute questions.
Date: Sunday, Nov 5th, 12-1 p.m.
Location: Public Safety Building Classroom
We hope you will join us for one or more of these upcoming events. I also encourage you to visit our website at www.scarboroughschoolsolution.org/ to dig into the details and find more information you need. Or reach out to us directly through the contact form on the site with individual questions or if you are interested in getting involved.
This is a decision that will lay the groundwork for our community for decades to come. No matter if you have school age children or not, it will impact you and we hope you’ll take the time to make a decision that reflects the future you’d like to see for our amazing Scarborough community.
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